FIRST FLOUR MILL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19793, 22 November 1938, Page 2

FIRST FLOUR MILL

EARLY DAYS RECALLED HISTORIC TARANAKI SITE The land on which the first commercial flour mill in New Zealand was established has now been acquired by the New Plymouth Borough Council. The objects of the council are to preserve the historical association of the site and to ensure that no buildings can be erected which would obstruct the view of the natural beauties of a pleasant walk alongside Huatoki Stream, in the centre of the town. The foundations of the old mill r.an still be seen on the site, while the gristing stones used for grinding corn are among the exhibits in the Taranaki Museum at New Plymouth. The land was purchased by the council from the estate of the late Mrs. Selina Wells, into whose family's possession it came in an interesting way. In the early days of Ta/anaki Mr. W. K Hulke imported the first Jersey cattle and established a notable herd. One of the heifers was sold to Mr. Zaccheus Wells, but she proved to be of such outstanding quality that Mr. Hulke v/ished to buy her back. He offered the flour mill site and the land was accepted by Mr. Wells in exchange for the heifer, which died in the following season.